Mounting means for gas burner

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an improved gas burner assembly and gasconnecting means for connecting the burner assembly to a manifold. The manifold generally has a plurality of gas outlet openings, each of which has an outwardly projecting gas delivery pipe connected thereto. Each gas delivery pipe has a gas delivery opening in the side. The burner assembly has a gas plenum chamber with axially aligned apertures in opposite sides, through which the gas delivery pipe is passed. When the gas delivery pipe is passed through the apertures, the gas delivery opening communicates with the plenum chamber. Attaching means is also provided for attaching the gas delivery pipe to the burner unit, and for preventing leakage of gas to the atmosphere. In one embodiment, the invention includes valve means on the gas delivery pipes, which permit the burner units to be individually adjusted.

United States Patent Lentini [4 1 ,lan.l8,l9'72 [54] MOUNTING MEANS FOR GAS BURNER [72] Inventor: Carlo A. Lentini, La Grange, lll. [73] Assignee: X-trad Corporation, La Grange, "L

[22] Filed: Aug. 17, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 64,492

[52] U.S.Cl v. 13l/278,43l/348,239/582, 239/598, 239/600 [51] Int. Cl ..F23q 9/00 [58] Field oiSearch ..431/l54, 278, 348,356; 239/582, 597, 598, 600

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,407,023 10/1968 Hirschberg et al ..239/600 X 3,029,865 4/1962 McGlaughlin ..43l/348 Primary Examiner-Carroll B. Dority, Jr. A!t0rney-Hume, Clement, Hume and Lee [57] ABSTRACT The invention provides an improved gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means for connecting the burner assembly to a manifold. The manifold generally has a plurality of gas outlet openings, each of which has an outwardly projecting gas delivery pipe connected thereto, Each gas delivery pipe has a gas delivery opening in the side. The burner assembly has a gas plenum chamber with axially aligned apertures in opposite sides, through which the gas delivery pipe is passed. When the gas delivery pipe is passed through the apertures, the gas delivery opening communicates with the plenum chamber. Attaching means is also provided for attaching the gas delivery pipe to the burner unit, and for preventing leakage of gas to the atmosphere. in one embodiment, the invention includes valve means on the gas delivery pipes, which permit the burner units to be individually adjusted.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJANHHSFZ 3,635,850

sum 2 OF 3 MOUNTING MEANS FOR GAS BURNER The present invention relates to an improved gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means.

Gas burners are used in a wide variety of applications. One particularly important application is in radiant heating for ovens, dryers, and the like, wherein a plurality of burner units are connected to a single manifold in side-by-side relationship. Generally, the manifold is positioned around the perimeter of the oven at floor level. In current practice, the individual burner units are connected to the manifold by means of threaded connections cast into the individual burner units, The burner units are thus individually screwed onto connecting pipes projecting from the manifold, or may be connected to the manifold by means of a collar arrangement. Such methods of connecting burners to the manifold present a number of difficulties. First, it is difficult to make the connection because it is underneath or behind the burner, so that the installer cannot see what he is doing. Secondly, since the connecting method involves threaded portions cast into the burner body itself, any damage that occurs to these threads requires the entire burner unit to be repaired or replaced. Finally, such connecting means generally do not include a provision for individually regulating the heat output of burner units.

Generally, the present invention provides an improved gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means for connecting the assembly to a manifold. The gas manifold has at least one, and generally a plurality, of gas outlet openings, each of which has a gas delivery pipe connected to the outlet opening in outwardly projecting relationship to the manifold. The gas delivery pipe has at least one gas delivery opening in the side of the pipe. The gas burner unit has a gas plenum chamber into which the gas from the gas delivery pipe is delivered. The plenum chamber has axially aligned apertures in opposite sides, these apertures being of a proper size and position to permit the gas delivery pipe to be passed through both of the apertures with the aforementioned gas delivery opening communicating with the plenum chamber. Finally, attaching means are provided for connecting the gas delivery pipe to the gas burner unit when the gas delivery pipe is passed through the axially aligned apertures. This attaching means should not permit leakage of gas to the atmosphere.

The invention, its construction and method of operation, together with the objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a gas manifold and a plurality of burners connected in side-by-side relationship, and embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a gas burner unit and manifold section illustrating the features of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the gas burner and manifold section of FIG. 2 in assembled relationship;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. I;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, showing a modification of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing another modification of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-3, a gas burner unit constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10, while die manifold is indicated by reference numeral 12. While the manifold shown in the drawings has a generally square cross-sectional shape, it will be understood that manifolds having circular or other cross-sectional shapes may also be employed in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. I, a plurality of gas burner units I0 are shown connected to the manifold I2 in side-by-side relationship. The gas manifold 12 has a plurality of gas outlet openings 14 along its length. One gas outlet opening 14 is required for each gas burner unit I0, and the openings 14 must be properly positioned to deliver gas to each of the burner units as hereinafter described. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, each of the gas outlet openings 114 has female threads.

A gas delivery pipe 16 is connected to each of the gas outlet openings 14 in outwardly projecting relationship to the gas manifold 12. The end of the gas delivery pipe 46 preferably has male screw threads I8, and is adapted to engage the corresponding female screw threads in the gas outlet openings 14.

Each gas delivery pipe 16 has at least one, and preferably a plurality, of gas delivery openings 20 in the side thereof. Referring to FIG. 4, when a plurality of such gas delivery openings 20 is employed, the openings 20 are preferably circumferentially aligned, i.e., have their centers along the same circumference of the gas delivery pipe 16. In the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. ll5, the gas delivery pipes 16 are connected to the gas outlet openings 114 in a manner such that they project horizontally outwardly in relationship to the gas manifold 12.

As shown in FIG. 4, the gas burner unit 10 has a gas plenum chamber 22 which delivers the gas to the combustion area, as hereinafter described. The plenum chamber 22 has a pair of axially aligned apertures 24 in opposite sides thereof. These apertures 24 are positioned to permit one of the gas delivery pipes 16 to be passed through both of the apertures with the gas delivery openings 20 communicating with the plenum chamber 22. This assembled relationship is particularly well shown in FIG. 4. Thus, gas passing from from the manifold 12 through the gas delivery pipe 16 may enter the plenum chamber 22 through the gas delivery openings 20.

Finally, attaching means are provided for connecting the gas delivery pipe 16 to the gas burner unit M). In this instance, the gas delivery pipe 16 has male screw threads 26 on its outwardly projecting end. An internally threaded cap 28 is screwed onto these screw threads 26 to secure the burner unit 10 to the manifold 12. The completely assembled burner unit 10 and manifold 12 is shown in perspective in FIG. 3.

The manner of attaching burner units to a manifold provided by the present invention greatly simplifies the the installation of a plurality of units along a manifold. Referring to FIGS. I and 2, the manifold 12 is first installed along the perimeter of an oven or the like. The individual gas delivery pipes 16 are then screwed into the gas outlet openings 14 in the manifold 12. Each gas burner unit is then simply slid onto its respective gas delivery pipe 16, and the cap 28 is screwed onto the outwardly projecting screw threads 26 of the gas delivery pipe 116. The removal of an individual burner unit is accomplished by simple reversing the above steps. In the event that threads should be damaged, only the inexpensive and simple replacement of the gas delivery pipe I6 is involved. Suitable gaskets (not shown) may be provided between the manifold 12 and the gas burner l0, and between the gas burner 10 and the cap 28 to assist in preventing gas leakage into the atmosphere.

While the precise construction of the burner unit 110 forms no part of the present invention, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. ll5 the burner unit 10 comprises generally a burner body 30 which forms the gas plenum chamber 22, and has a gas outlet slit 32 in an upper portion thereof. The burner body 30 also has a supporting shelf 34 projecting outwardly therefrom. This projecting shelf 34 supports a refractory heatradiating unit 36. The heat-radiating unit 36 is secured to the burner body 30 by means of a retention plate 3% attached to the burner body 30 by screws 44). A gas distributor comb 42 is inserted into the gas outlet slit 32 in order to distribute the gas over the slit 32. This distributor comb 42 is a generally combshaped flat metal member, which is force fit into the slit 32.

In operation, gas under pressure is delivered to the manifold 12, and passes through the gas outlet openings 14 into the gas delivery pipes 16. The gas then passes through the gas delivery openings 20 into the plenum chamber 22. This gas then passes through the outlet slit 32, where it is ignited, heating the refractory heat-radiating unit 36.

FIG. 5 illustrates a modification of the present invention wherein valve means are provided on the gas delivery pipe 16 for regulating the rate of delivery of gas through the gas delivery openings 20 associated with each individual burner unit I0. Basically, the burner and mounting means shown in FIG. 5 are similar to those shown in FIGS. I4, and like parts are indicated by like reference numerals. In this embodiment, it is essential that the gas delivery pipe 16 be open at both ends. Also in this instance, the cap 50 has a central threaded opening 52. A threaded valve member 54 is screwed into the threaded opening 52, and is of a length sufficient to penetrate into the gas delivery pipe 16 a distance sufficient to at least partially block the gas delivery openings 20. Thus, the amount of gas delivered to an individual burner unit may be varied by controlling the distance the threaded valve member 54 is screwed into the gas delivery pipe 16. For maximum gas delivery, the valve member 54 is screwed out a sufficient distance that it does not intercept any portion of the gas delivery openings 20. However, if it is desired to reduce the heat intensity at any individual burner unit 10, the valve member 54 is moved inwardly to at least partially intercept the openings and thus reduce the delivery of gas to that burner unit. The threaded valve member 54 is preferably provided with a locking nut 56 for preventing unintentional rotation of the valve member 54.

The burner unit 10 shown in the embodiments heretofore discussed is designed to be connected to a gas manifold wherein the gas delivery pipes 16 project horizontally outwardly from the manifold 12. However, the use of horizontal gas delivery pipes is not required by the invention. FIG. 6 shows a modified gas burner unit, generally indicated by reference numeral 60, which is adapted to be connected to gas delivery pipes 16 that project vertically rather than horizontally from the manifold 12. The modified burner unit 60 shown in FIG. 6 has parts that are functionally identical to those shown in the preceding figures. Corresponding parts are therefore indicated by like reference numerals and will not be again described.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

lclaim:

1. An improved gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means comprising: a gas manifold having a gas outlet opening; a gas delivery pipe connected to said gas outlet opening in outwardly projecting relationship to gas manifold, said gas delivery pipe having a gas delivery opening in the side thereof; a gas burner unit having a gas plenum chamber, said plenum chamber having axially aligned apertures in opposite sides thereof, said apertures being positioned to permit said gas delivery pipe to be passed through said apertures with said gas delivery opening communicating with said plenum chamber; and attaching means for connecting said gas delivery pipe to said gas burner unit when said gas delivery pipe is passed through said axially aligned apertures.

2. The gas burner assembly and gasconnecting means as defined in claim 1 wherein the outwardly projecting end of said gas delivery pipe is threaded, and wherein said attaching means is a cap adapted to be screwed onto said outwardly projecting end.

3. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 2 wherein said gas outlet opening in said gas manifold is threaded, and wherein said gas delivery pipe is adapted to be screwed into said threaded opening.

4. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 3 wherein said gas delivery pipe has a plurality of circumferentially aligned gas delivery openings.

5. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim I further comprising valve means on said gas delivery pipe for regulating the rate of delivery of gas through said as delivery opening.

6. l'he gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 5 wherein said gas delivery pipe has a plurality of circumferentially aligned gas delivery openings.

7. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 6 wherein the outwardly projecting end of said gas delivery pipe is threaded, and said attaching means is a cap adapted to be screwed onto said outwardly projecting end, said cap having a central threaded opening therein; and wherein said valve means comprises a threaded valve member screwed into said central threaded opening and adapted to penetrate into said gas delivery pipe a distance sufficient to at least partially block said gas delivery openings.

8. An improved gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means comprising: a gas manifold having a plurality of spaced, threaded gas outlet openings; a plurality of gas delivery pipes adapted to be screwed into said threaded openings in horizontally outwardly projecting relationship to said gas manifold, said gas delivery pipes each having a plurality of circumferentially aligned gas delivery openings in the side thereof; a gas burner unit having a gas plenum chamber, said plenum chamber having axially aligned apertures in opposite sides thereof, said apertures being positioned to permit one of said gas delivery pipes to be passed through said apertures with said gas delivery openings communicating with said plenum chamber; and a cap adapted to be screwed onto the outwardly projecting end of said gas delivery pipe to secure said gas burner unit to said manifold.

9. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 8 further comprising valve means on said gas delivery pipe for regulating the flow of gas through said gas delivery openings.

10. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 9 wherein said cap has a central, threaded opening therein, and wherein said valve means comprises a threaded valve member screwed into said opening and adapted to penetrate into said gas delivery pipe a distance sufficient to at least partially block said gas delivery openings. 

1. An improved gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means comprising: a gas manifold having a gas outlet opening; a gas delivery pipe connected to said gas outlet opening in outwardly projecting relationship to gas manifold, said gas delivery pipe having a gas delivery opening in the side thereof; a gas burner unit having a gas plenum chamber, said plenum chamber having axially aligned apertures in opposite sides thereof, said apertures being positioned to permit said gas delivery pipe to be passed through said apertures with said gas delivery opening communicating with said plenum chamber; and attaching means for connecting said gas delivery pipe to said gas burner unit when said gas delivery pipe is passed through said axially aligned apertures.
 2. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 1 wherein the outwardly projecting end of said gas delivery pipe is threaded, and wherein said attaching means is a cap adapted to be screwed onto said outwardly projecting end.
 3. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 2 wherein said gas outlet opening in said gas manifold is threaded, and wherein said gas delivery pipe is adapted to be screwed into said threaded opening.
 4. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 3 wherein said gas delivery pipe has a plurality of circumferentially aligned gas delivery openings.
 5. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 1 further comprising valve means on said gas delivery pipe for regulating the rate of delivery of gas through said gas delivery opening.
 6. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 5 wherein said gas delivery pipe has a plurality of circumferentially aligned gas delivery openings.
 7. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 6 wherein the outwardly projecting end of said gas delivery pipe is threaded, and said attaching means is a cap adapted to be screwed onto said outwardly projecting end, said cap having a central threaded opening therein; and wherein said valve means comprises a threaded valve member screwed into said central threaded opening and adapted to penetrate into said gas delivery pipe a distance sufficient to at least partially block said gas delivery openings.
 8. An improved gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means comprising: a gas manifold having a plurality of spaced, threaded gas outlet openings; a plurality of gas delivery pipes adapted to be screwed into said threaded openings in horizontally outwardly projecting relationship to said gas manifold, said gas delivery pipes each having a plurality of circumferentially aligned gas delivery openings in the side thereof; a gas burner unit having a gas plenum chamber, said plenum chamber having axially aligned apertures in opposite sides thereof, said apertures being positioned to permit one of said gas delivery pipes to be passed through said apertures with said gas delivery openings communicating with said plenum chamber; and a cap adapted to be screwed onto the outwardly projecting end of said gas delivery pipe to secure said gas burner unit to said manifold.
 9. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 8 further comprising valve means on said gas delivery pipe for regulating the flow of gas through said gas delivery openings.
 10. The gas burner assembly and gas-connecting means as defined in claim 9 wherein said cap has a central, threaded opening therein, and wherein said valve means comprises a threaded valve member screwed into said opening and adapted to penetrate into said gas delivery pipe a distance sUfficient to at least partially block said gas delivery openings. 